Beautiful, calligraphic handwriting- a real art, which is allowed to learn. Lettering in a positive way, writing slowly, copying examples of calligraphic handwriting are some tips that can come in handy in the first stage of learning positive writing.

Instruction

1. For the classic writing of letters, use special notebooks - copybooks. Usually first-graders use such notebooks to learn how to write capital letters. You will also purchase books on learning calligraphy and correct writing. Do exercises in the form of writing passages from different stories every day, devoting a few hours to writing. Over time, your hand will get used to drawing positively outlined letters. But do not rush to immediately move on to writing complex sentences. To begin with, deal with the alphabet, with special attention and diligence, prescribing every letter.

2. Hire a calligraphy tutor handwriting. Occasionally, independent comprehension of material from books is unsatisfactory; tea is necessary so that an outside specialist appreciates your efforts for excellence. It may seem to you that you have already achieved some mastery (handwriting has become more intelligible to others than before), but in fact it turns out that there is still a long way to improve writing. Minor flaws in writing, positive holding of the pen at the necessary slope - all this and much more can only be pointed out by a specialist in calligraphy. handwriting .

3. Visit the lessons visual arts and drawings. Learn to draw, draw geometric shapes evenly, draw a circle by hand in the correct form. Over time, you will “stuff” your hand, and your handwriting will change beyond recognition, in a cool sense. It is often allowed to hear that the knowledge of drawing is an inborn skill, but, as you know, if there is an irresistible desire to learn something, then this will definitely work out!

4. Get children's coloring, in which it is allowed not only to finish the figures, but also to finish them on the dotted lines. So you will learn how to accurately reduce a dotted line to a solid one, which will fit when drawing letters consisting of vertical lines on a letter, like letters - “g”, “p”, “c”, etc.

He writes “like a chicken with his paw”, “like a doctor” - this is often allowed today to hear about the handwriting of this or that person. It is a little that since the time of Peter I the font of manuscripts has been continuously changed and simplified, but now with the development of computer technology, people have completely stopped writing by hand. And there are few who can boast of calligraphic handwriting .

You will need

• - special spelling;
• - writing instruments.

Instruction

1. In pre-revolutionary times, calligraphy was separate subject and was considered a very significant science. Then the beauty of the written letters was given by the fact that the words were applied to paper by a tear-off method. So it was more probable and time, in order to diligently display the letters. However, after the next school reforms in 1968, the Ministry of Education decided that it was necessary to increase the speed of writing in children by abandoning the tear-off habit of writing letters. At the same time, the special line of notebooks, which helped to positively write words on paper, was also canceled. Therefore, in order to learn to write calligraphy, it is necessary to use special recipes. They are marked with a special line, which helps to write letters with a positive bias. Also in this copybook there are points along which it is necessary to trace the letter as it should be according to the norms of calligraphy. The core plus of such marking is that the writer's hand mechanically takes the desired location and writes the letter along the right trajectory.

2. The rule of calligraphy is based on the notion that the whole letter has its own writing formula. Knowing her, the person who writes, will he know mechanically? where and how to put a pen, how to positively draw a line, and where the letter on the letter should end. And finally, calligraphic writing must strictly be tear-off. On the contrary, it will not work to write a letter perfectly. Tea is such a spelling of words - with a few breaks, is considered the most physiological for a person. All lines in letters and words must be smooth, softly rounded and brought to a logical conclusion.

3. Also, the beauty of handwriting is influenced by many other factors. One of them is the wrong posture while writing. A crooked person with a low head and an unnaturally twisted neck will never begin to write beautifully. Letters must be written with one slope, i.e. look the same on paper. If a person sits abnormally, then his angle of view periodically changes, and hence the slope of the letters. And this is a violation of the laws of calligraphy.

4. Another of the conditions for developing excellent handwriting is the correct position of the paper for writing. It should lie flat with the maximum possible slope of 20 degrees (no more!). The middle of the written text should correspond to the middle of the chest. This also helps to preserve the slope of the letters when writing in a positive direction.

5. Well, of course, you should not be upset that at first not everything works out, that it takes a lot of time to write one word. All this progresses with skill and acquires the necessary speed. But after a few hard workouts, your handwriting is no longer likely to be called ugly and incomprehensible.

Fine handwriting was valued at all times. Joyful owners of calligraphic handwriting could get a job that is unattainable for those who do not write well. And even now, when an ordinary pen is slowly being replaced by a computer keyboard, beautiful handwriting has not lost its significance. It is nice for loved ones to receive news written by your hand. And various documents still have to be filled out manually quite regularly.

You will need

• - prescription;
• - fountain pen;
• - ball pen;
• - paper in a ruler and in a cage.

Instruction

1. Evaluate your handwriting and identify its flaws. In good faith answer yourself the question of whether he is reasonable enough, whether you write letters and their elements evenly. Also think about what kind of handwriting you would like. It is possible that you will have to master new elements of letters. It is better to do it right away, there is absolutely no need to relearn several times.

2. Education calligraphy slightly different from teaching writing to a first grader. Get the prescriptions. They can be purchased or downloaded from the Internet and printed. Try the same sequence in which the children were taught before. Take care of the correct posture. Sit up straight, lay the sheet a little obliquely, take a positive pencil.

3. Write a few lines of cursive sharply honed with a simple pencil. Imagine that you are just learning to write. Strive to write all the elements evenly, correctly observing proportions and slope. If you control the process, one or two pencil writing sessions will be enough.

4. Write a few lines with a insert pen and primitive ink. Start with elements of letters, then write all the letters, lowercase and uppercase. If you want to embellish your upcoming handwriting with some cursive cursives on capital letters, comprehend them now. The most important thing is to write evenly, observing the slope and pressure. The height of the letters should also be even, therefore, first write the copy in two rulers.

5. Try to write something on a sheet in a cage. Be careful that the height of the letters is approximately equal to 2/3 of the cell. Let the vertical stripes do not bother you, write letters with the slope that you prefer for yourself. Observe the height of the letters and the pressure.

6. Having mastered the letter on sheets in a cage, go to a notebook in one line. Be careful to observe the height of the letters, in excellent handwriting it is about 1/3 of the distance between the rulers or a little larger. The height of the capital letters almost reaches the ruler located above.

7. Try writing a few lines with a fountain pen. Write not elements of letters, but words or small texts. Watch the height of the letters, the ratio of height and width. Display elements of connections beautifully.

8. Switch to a ballpoint or gel pen. Follow all the same rules as when working with a pencil and fountain pens. Excellent pressure, classic for fountain pens, less invisible when working with a ballpoint pen, but you still need to do it. Beautiful letters are obtained only if your movements are correct and accurate.

9. By switching to a ballpoint pen, check the process. Try not to look at the notebook all the time. Think for a while about the table of contents of the text, and not about how it will look on the sheet. Then see what you got. If you stop observing how you write, and the letters still turn out smooth and beautiful, then everything is in order. If, being distracted, you stop writing correctly, you need to observe the lessons for some more time.

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Useful advice
A mature person who does not need to study again for everyone can do without intermediate stages. Write a few prescriptions in pencil in order to understand the sequence of movements and learn how to measure efforts. After that, you can go straight to the ballpoint pen. But in this case, it is necessary to more strictly control the movements.

One of the tasks of the original school is to teach children to write calligraphy, however, even far away, not all adults have this skill. Learning to write calligraphy is allowed on your own, applying certain rules.

Instruction

1. First, take the correct position of the body. To do this, sit on a chair straight, tilt your head slightly forward. If you are right handed, then put left hand on the table and transfer part of the body weight to it, at the same time hold the paper with this hand. If you are left-handed, then move the fulcrum to right hand. The hand you write with should barely touch the surface of the table.

2. Take a writing tool - a pen or a pen - in your working hand. With your thumb, press the handle against the nail phalanx of your middle finger. Bend your index finger slightly and hold the handle on top. It is necessary to hold the writing instrument in the hand without tension.

3. Relax and straighten the remaining two fingers - excess tension in them will interfere with the smooth movements of the hand. Check the correct location of the handle, with the other hand, pull it out by the upper end. If it slides freely, then you are doing everything right.

4. Start practicing calligraphy by drawing freeform lines on paper. First write at a 30 degree angle, then at a 45 and 90 degree angle. The main thing is to learn to observe the slope at a given angle. Follow the sequence: you need to write only from top to bottom and from left to right.

5. Practice writing the letter “o”, draw each line at one time and diligently connect the adjoining lines. This is necessary for writing rounded characters. While writing, do not change the position of the hand, because the angle may change.

6. Learn to write severely vertical strokes. When writing a stroke, do not focus on the previous one if its angle of inclination has been changed - each line of strokes can be tilted. Watch your breath, and draw strokes on the exhale. Avoid too rapid and immeasurably leisurely movements, choose a pace of writing that is comfortable for you. Calligraphic writing requires a certain determination from the author and is the result of assertive training.

Note!
At first, do the exercises slowly and methodically, increasing the speed will be a natural process.

Useful advice
Move on to writing difficult letters little by little, as soon as you master the technique of primitive exercises.

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Writing, beautifully displaying letters, is a real art, to which our ancestors attached great importance. Today it's time to find out what calligraphy is, why was it so important before, but today it has lost its relevance? Do people of the 21st century have the opportunity to learn how to write with restraint and elegance? Where and how can this be done? Let's figure it out!

What is calligraphy: definition

The word "calligraphy" passed into the Russian language from Greek, where it, in turn, was composed of constituent elements, namely "callos" - "beauty" and "grafo" - "to write". In other words, this concept describes an ancient branch of art, the essence of which lies in beautiful and clear writing on paper. Today, most people are familiar with a different definition, and the question: "What is calligraphy?" evokes in them associations with beautiful and fast writing. This is a side branch called applied or everyday calligraphy.

Calligraphy as an academic discipline

A similar aesthetic design of handwritten text took place not only in the field of applied graphics, but also in schools as an academic discipline, where children were offered copybooks for calligraphy and its basic foundations were taught: the same size of letters, the uniformity of the inclination and arrangement of letters, the similar size of spaces, the general clarity and legibility of both words and punctuation marks. Calligraphy was called calligraphy in elementary grades. It required discipline, perseverance, concentration of attention and, for example, in the USSR it was the only school subject inherited from the times of pre-revolutionary Russia.

The history of the development of calligraphy is connected with two points: firstly, it is the evolution of the font, writing tools (bird, metal, reed pen, brush) and sheet materials (papyrus, silk, parchment, paper), and, secondly, stylistic changes in calligraphy as a separate art form and human activity.

What was calligraphy originally intended for?

From time immemorial, beautiful handwriting has performed the following main functions:

1. Easier reading.
2. Message to the letter of emotional imagery, graphic expressiveness.

For calligraphy, the first point has always been characterized by clarity of outlines and details, allowing a person to read at a distance, while the second - expressive cursive cursive or patterned decorative design. The latter was especially highly valued in China and other Far East Asian countries, where calligraphy was seen as the art of conveying behind a simple graphic sign a whole palette of emotional and symbolic meanings and meanings, the essence of the word, thoughts and feelings of the writer.

Calligraphy in Western Europe: Origins

"What is calligraphy?" - a question that can be considered clarified. However, it should be noted that calligraphy is not a universal phenomenon for all territories. The key unifying element for the historical development of calligraphy in different countries is its evolution in the general mainstream of the fine arts. However, along with this, beautiful writing "by hand" has changed over time, depending on the stylistic influence prevailing in a particular era. Firstly, the degree and frequency of a particular trend in the two states could be different, and, secondly, traditions, motifs, and symbols characteristic of a particular area also played a significant role. That is why today the world knows several unique calligraphic schools at once.

Calligraphy in Europe developed from Greco-Roman writing, the classical canons of which, developed in antiquity, are used even today. The first alphabets of the Greeks and Romans appeared as early as the 3rd millennium BC. The Etruscan alphabet was the forerunner of Latin. Initially, the letter used exclusively capital letters; lowercase appeared later, during the reign of the imperial Carolingian dynasty in Europe. To a lesser extent, the Cyrillic alphabet had an effect on the Western European art of beautiful handwriting.

The period of active development of European writing

Calligraphy in Western European territories began to develop most actively with the spread of Christianity, because there was a need to copy the Bible and other texts on religious subjects, their harmonious design. Therefore, calligraphy lessons were taught to the clergy, as evidenced by the many surviving monuments of medieval calligraphy. The art of calligraphy peaked in the 7th-9th centuries, when monks in Scotland and Ireland created illustrated Gospels - unique medieval masterpieces. They were handwritten books richly decorated with colorful ornaments and miniatures. In Russia, such calligraphy, which was also taught among monks and ministers of the church, acquired the name "front manuscript".

In addition to the above, in the 11th century, a Gothic script also appeared, on the basis of which a type called “pseudo-Gothic” was created. The main branches of such calligraphy included:

• fractura - sharp writing with broken edges and outlines;
• the texture is just sharp writing;
• rotunda - a transitional type of writing from Gothic to antiqua, or a typographic font with characteristic serifs;
• schwabacher, or bastard - broken writing with rounded outlines of some specific letters;
• current - gothic italics; at the beginning of the 20th century, the Sütterlin type was approved as the traditional Gothic cursive.

Based on the Cyrillic alphabet in Western Europe, a characteristic pseudo-Slavic font was also created. From the 15th century, the leading role in the tradition of European calligraphy passed to artists, copyists and engravers, after which, with the invention of printing by John Gutenberg in the same century, the role of calligraphy sharply decreased.

Calligraphy in East Asia

Calligraphy developed in its own way in Korea, Japan and China, as well as in Muslim states. Translated from Chinese and Korean, the concept is translated as "the way of writing" and is a sophisticated form of painting. For the art of handwriting, not pens for calligraphy, not pens, but brushes for writing and ink were traditionally used here. Famous masters of Chinese calligraphy include Xuanzong (VIII century), Wang Xi-Zhi (IV century), Mi Fei. In the list of the largest Islamic calligraphers, the first are Ibn Mukla (X century), who specialized in the Naskhi font, a native of Central Asia, Mir Ali Tabrizi (XIV century), who painted materials with a unique Nastalik script, and others.

It should be noted that in the states of Islam, calligraphy had a particularly inseparable connection with religion. Thus, calligraphic inscriptions were widely used to decorate mosques and in the census of the Koran. In the Arab countries, with the help of graphics (here called "hutut" or "hatt"), the manifestation of desacralized Beauty was affirmed, pervading every corner of folk culture. The Arabs developed their own system of 6 calligraphic handwritings, each of which was used in certain circumstances. Their names:

• naskh;
• suls;
• muhaqqaq;
• rayhani;
• tauki;
• hand.

By the way, the characteristic features of Arabic calligraphy include the inadmissibility of depicting animals, people or Allah, because, according to religious dogmas, worshiping God through a picture likens a person to an unbeliever. For the same reason, no other creature is allowed to be depicted. However, if calligraphic images are created separately, but eventually combined into a single element, then in this case the rules do not prohibit this.

Traditional calligrapher set

The minimum set for learning the art of beautiful writing includes calligraphy pens, ink and paper. In addition, a pen with a paste of the desired color, gouache, watercolor, ink, charcoal, pastel, spray paint (if we are talking about the modern branch of calligraphy - graffiti) and much more. It is interesting that before the use of pens, people managed with sticks, thanks to which they squeezed out signs on clay, or simply carved inscriptions on stones, because the imprinting of signs on relatively hard surfaces has been common for a long time: this includes writing on wax or birch bark. The first (reed) feathers during the Middle Ages were replaced by bird feathers, mainly goose feathers. Then they became composite, and in the XVIII century gave way to steel. It becomes obvious that there is no canonical calligrapher's tool, because in different periods scribes used different auxiliary means.

Calligraphy for beginners: about age and methods

Currently, calligraphy is perceived more as a kind of aesthetic phenomenon. However, it has not lost its practical significance either; Thus, today the art of beautiful handwriting is the basis for the development of typesetting computer fonts. Calligraphy for beginners today is quite accessible both for self-study and for practicing with a teacher. Many programs exist for the assimilation of material by schoolchildren, because children at an early age are much easier to relearn than adults. Teachers and project curators offer parents to order calligraphy lessons.

A real-time attendance and presence system is usually practiced, however, classes can also take place in the form of distance online courses. In the latter case, they include methodological recommendations for adults and offer calligraphy recipes so that parents can correct and put the correct handwriting for their child at home. The same features apply to adult education programs.

After ornamental exercises, you can proceed to the execution of the antiqua font with a pen.

Try to write it big.
It is not recommended to write letters in alphabetical order for exercises, this is methodologically incorrect. When performing exercises, letters are grouped according to the similarity of styles. Common elements of similar letters are continuously repeated until their spelling is learned.

We start the exercise with the letters of the 1st group, consisting only of vertical and horizontal strokes - G, E, H, etc. Then we write the letters of the 2nd group, consisting of vertical, horizontal and oblique lines - A, F, I, etc. They are followed by the letters of the 3rd group, in which straight strokes are connected with round ones - B, C, H, etc. The 4th group writes round letters - Z, O, C, etc. After capital letters, you can start writing lowercase, also distributed them into the indicated groups.

Font made with a wide-nib pen. The arrows show the direction of strokes, the numbers show their sequence.

For letters marked with an asterisk, see the illustration below.

Improved stroke rhythm in letters written with a broad nib. Above - letters written according to the logic of a wide-nib pen (without turning the pen). Bottom - (recommended for advanced level) writing letters with pen rotation when writing left-handed diagonal elements.

By learning how to write the same letters and flawlessly straight lines, you can move on to writing words and whole sentences. For a variety of compositional solutions, it is necessary to write letters of both large and small sizes; alternate between prose and poetry. As, for example, in the work of Lubomir Kratky.

Lubomir Kratky.
Extrait du "Petit Prince", de Saint-Exupery.
1987, 50x40 cm.
Paper, paints, calico brush.

Pen Exercises (Part II)

Studying fonts and performance techniques, you can resort to the copying method. They copy both historical handwriting and the best works contemporary masters by copying them with a broad-nib pen. It is not necessary to follow the original size.

The exercises below will help you learn how to write cursive. Accuracy and perseverance are required from you, and you yourself will not notice how everything starts to work out.

Pay attention to the fact that the text, with inexperienced execution, usually turns out to be sparse at first, then it becomes denser, and in the end it can thin out again under the influence of the fatigue of the writer. This phenomenon most often occurs with long texts and makes the overall picture of the font uneven. In order for the font density to remain the same, it is recommended to pre-mark the text with a pencil, and for control, write a few test phrases on paper. It may happen that by gradually increasing the pressure on the pen, the text at the end of the letter will be darker than at the beginning. Check the first line from time to time to determine if the original proportions and rhythm of the letters, as well as the slope of the pen, are being followed.

Exercises and samples for learning cursive with related letters.

Many beginners move too quickly from the initial exercises to writing complex letters. Such haste leads to slovenliness of writing, violation of stylistic unity in the signs of one alphabet. Exercises should be done carefully and methodically, despite the fact that the stroke due to the slow movement of the pen is uneven. Speed, if it is appropriate to talk about it when executing a font, comes later, as if by itself, along with the stability of the hand.

Gunther Junge.
Font variation.

Pen Exercises (Part III)

Only after a long training, when the well-known font styles are fully mastered, can one gradually move on to developing an individual handwriting, or rather, it develops itself in the process of exercises. This can be compared to the transition from student handwriting to adult handwriting. By individual handwriting is meant not only an alphabet created by the writer himself, but also (for the most part) an individual transformation of some known style without fundamental change.

Exercises and samples for learning italic type with related and unrelated letters.

Very often, when finishing a font, they try to give all letters or their most characteristic elements a uniform character, to subordinate them. uniform style”, regardless of the features of this font and the specifics of its style. In italics, this manifests itself, for example, in attempts to connect all letters to each other by all means in one way, although it is known that some letters are well connected by the upper connecting stroke, others are worse, and others cannot be connected at all in this way. This danger must be taken into account by the beginner, remembering that the unity of style is a relative concept that requires measure.

It is very strictly necessary to ensure that vertical strokes (in oblique font - oblique) are parallel, otherwise the letters seem to stagger and the font loses its rhythm.

Exercises and samples for learning italic type with unrelated letters.

Various techniques for making cuts.

The design and proportions of letters must not be allowed to suffer through the use of a pen with a too wide or too thin tip.

A closely compressed font is more decorative than normal but less readable, so it should be used with care. The same applies to a font with too narrow line spacing.

Oldrich Menhart.
Samples of execution of some lowercase letters.

I would like to note once again that skills in the technique of working with a wide-nib pen are acquired, of course, in the process of direct execution of the font.

Pen Exercises (Part IV)

The round nib is one of the simplest tools for writing type. The end of the pen has a disk-shaped line of the same width regardless of the direction of the pen movement. Round-ended feathers are made in widths from 0.5 to 5 mm.

In the process of writing, the entire disc-shaped surface of the pen should evenly adhere to the paper. If this requirement is not met, the line will be uneven, of unequal width. A round-nib pen, like a wide-nib pen, should not be directed end first, i.e. bottom to top and right to left.

Ornamental exercises in the technique of a round-pointed pen.

Grotesque, executed with a round-pointed pen. The arrows show the direction of strokes, the numbers show their sequence.

The round-pointed pen is mainly used by amateur type designers when making signs, announcements, etc. It is also used in the execution of a standard font in technical drawings. A round-tipped pen helps the student to acquire elementary skills and disciplines the hand and eye, but it is almost unsuitable for making a full-fledged, highly artistic type. The processional artist uses a round-nib less often than a wide-nib and mostly as aid when drawing a font (for example, chopped). Sometimes the line of the round pen or the ends of the letters are finished with a drawing pen or a watercolor brush.

Zhikharev's handwritten typeface.
Typographic font.
Artist I.S. Zhikharev.
Moscow, 1955.

Such a font is easy to reproduce with a round-tip pen, finishing the elements of the letters with a thin pen.

If so, then you have just stumbled upon the perfect article to do just that.

Learning calligraphy is not an easy process, but with the right teaching materials, it can take less time than you think.

What is calligraphy?

This term is borrowed from ancient Greek and means the art of beautiful writing.

Instead of just writing pretty letters, calligraphers are supposed to follow a set of rules and traditions, including those that govern the arrangement and placement of letters in text.

How to master calligraphy? More importantly, does it really make sense to do this?

For example, if you are a designer, modern calligraphy is a great skill to add to your resume and fast way attract customers with elegant logos, signs, cards, invitations, etc.

Our article on calligraphy for beginners will help you become familiar with all these things and help you learn calligraphy and give your work a recognizable and individual style.

Here is our compact guide to calligraphy:

Learning calligraphy - where to start

How to learn calligraphy? The first step along the way is to get the right equipment, including the best calligraphy pens. Calligraphy with a pointed pen will require you to learn how to use a fountain pen. Including one that is made of a metal tip - a pen, and attached with a special holder.
All such calligraphy basics guides recommend these pens as they contain no ink inside and can't do any damage - instead you dip them into a special container while you write and benefit from their flexibility to experiment with different line options. This way your pen will never corrode or clog despite great amount various inks that you should use to complete your project.

How to use calligraphy pens? Here are the tools you will need:

• Feathers
• Pen holders
• Paper suitable for fountain pens
• Ink

Feather

For beginners who are learning how to use a calligraphy pen, we recommend the Nikko G-Nib pen. It is relatively rigid and draws nice lines with the desired level of flexibility.

pen holder

There are two types of pen holders: straight and oblique (oblique). The former is best suited for vertical calligraphy styles, while the slanted holders make it easier to combine several different styles.

A high quality and affordable alternative is the slanted Speedball Oblique Pen Nib Holder, as well as the Tachikawa Comic Pen Nib Holder for Various Pen Nib - Model 25 (a great choice for upright styles as it holds tighter than other similar holders).

There are designers who use the same holder for all calligraphy pens, but we encourage beginners to try a few different options before choosing one holder.

Paper

The roughness of regular paper will prevent you from using it for calligraphy. Among other problems, you will encounter situations where your pen gets caught on paper and leaves annoying ink blobs.

Also, regular printed paper has more fibers and therefore absorbs ink and allows it to spread within the sheet, which is likely to be an obstacle to the smooth and clean lines that calligraphers strive for.

To make calligraphy more effective and enjoyable, buy paper that is suitable for nibs and fountain pens. For example, popular brand Rhodia, whose paper is very smooth and ink resistant. Several types of paper are available: blank sheets, in-line or dotted grids.

Ink

There are several types of ink suitable for fountain pens, but beginners should always choose quality black samples. Our choice is Speedball Super Black India as this ink is very dark, water resistant and also reasonably priced.

Like any creative process, calligraphy is best practiced in a pleasant working environment.

A comfortable and well-organized desk where you can place all your supplies and feel positive and relaxed is the best place to practice your calligraphy skills.

Choosing the best place to work

To get the most out of your calligraphy practice, choose a comfortable and relaxing place where you can place your feet comfortably. Organize your supplies well and keep the place uncluttered to provide enough room for your arms to move.

Writing paper should be placed on a special writing board or at least 5-6 sheets. This way you will have a soft surface that will allow you to write more naturally than on a table, and the surface will not allow your paper to fidget.

Instrument preparation

Make sure you have a non-fluffy towel and a cup of water nearby so you can clean your pen. Paper towels are also fine, but be aware that their fibers can catch on the tip and cause annoying blotches.

Your ink should be placed in a wide-mouthed bottle or jar so that you don't touch the sides of it with your pen. And put the bottle where you can't tip it over easily. Basically, your work tools should be within reach, but still at a safe distance. For example, we put them in a roll of tape or even close them to avoid risk.

As mentioned earlier, you must place the pen inside the holder. The easiest way to do this is to take the pen somewhere near its base and then insert the pen inside the holder using its outer ring.

Make sure you don't hold the nib by the nib as this can bend it and deform it. To get it right, find the guide on YouTube and follow the instructions.

Main strokes calligraphy

The structural elements of calligraphy are thick downward strokes and thin upward strokes. Thin upward strokes are easy to draw as you effortlessly hold the pen and move it up.

Thick strokes, on the other hand, require more pressure as the pen moves down. Of course, you must balance and combine both movements to get the best line change.

Before you begin, dip the pen deep into the ink bottle, making sure the breathing hole on the back of the pen is completely closed. Wipe off any excess ink on the side and you can start writing.

Here are the rules you should follow:

Downstrokes come first. Do not press too hard - this will help you observe the change in line thickness. This way you will also protect your pen.

Experiment with different loops and combine thinner upstrokes and thicker downstrokes. Loops of continuous lines will help you connect them and come up with the perfect combination.

Continue with thick downward strokes and slowly release the pen as you move towards the bottom.

Reorder. Draw downward strokes so that it looks like they are pouring down.

Continue with ovals. Apply strong pressure on the left side and lighter pressure on the right side.

It often happens that a new pen draws two parallel lines instead of one, or "railroads" as experienced calligraphers call them. The reason is that you either applied too much pressure to the pen or there is not enough ink left.

Equipment and stroke tips for professionals

For those of you who are confident that you are starting to write professionally, we have prepared some embellishments to add to your beautiful lettering.

Variable letters

An easy way to give your writing an experienced look is to change the slope. You can easily change the width of the strokes and the length of their connections. Start by changing letter spacing and give the baseline a slanted, stepped, or curved look.

Changes like this will help change the feel of your letter, as well as the message it conveys. Is it formal, dynamic or eccentric style? Think about it!

You can also change the way the letters are formed, make them a little thinner, rounder, or even connect them differently. Do this a few times and you will surely come up with a completely new design.

Curls and decoration

You are studying calligraphy so you need to make some squiggles. Squiggles can be added to your text like swirls and loops to make it more beautiful and eye-catching. For example, you can cross heavy lines with lighter ones to show that you care about the visual balance of the text.

Another option is to embellish the calligraphy with special designs to match your words, or use banners to highlight important lines. The more complex your design, the smarter it will be to start drawing in pencil and testing it.

Traditional calligraphy

Spencerian and Copperplate are excellent examples of traditional calligraphic handwriting. There aren't many font options based on them right now, but their classic elegance is undeniable. Special projects may require you to become familiar with them, and this is also useful as a practice.

Perfect Feathers

Your ideal pen should be sharp, flexible and responsive. In this way, you can draw thinner lines and enrich them with an effective and elegant finish. For sensitive projects, we recommend three excellent pens in particular:

• Speedball no. 101
• Brause 361 Steno Blue Pumpkin
• Brause 66 Extra Fine Arrow

None of these pens will be easy to use, but the effort is worth it.

Useful Tricks

You've just started monetizing your calligraphy skills, but something still looks completely wrong. You may be having trouble using the pen, in which case you may find the following tips helpful:

If you have problems with strokes:

• Instead of doing it like everyone else, try faux calligraphy and see how the strokes look and feel. Write neatly and fill in the gaps. This way you will simulate perfect lines and see what you actually have to do.
• Practice on the printable sheets until you can make the letters perfectly shaped. It's not hard to find samples of basic strokes and uppercase letters online.
• Start with lighter pencil drawings and trace them slowly with the pen. Once the ink is dry, erase any traces of the pencil.
• Large letters make it easier to see critical errors.

If your letters have a casual slope:

• Use the incline guidelines while exercising. Draw one of your own using a protractor, or even use plain paper. Put the sample page under the sheet - this will facilitate the process.
• Rotate the paper to create the correct slant. You will immediately see which position is best for you.
• To avoid paper rotation, replace the current pen holder with a tilted one.

If your hand is unsteady or tired:

• Use workout strokes to warm up
• Hold your pen loose and shake your hand
• As you write, move your whole arm, not just your wrist.
• Spend more time exercising. Get more exercise even when you're just using your phone. This will help make hand movements smooth and natural.

If the ink just won't stay on the pen

• Some of the new nibs have a very thin oil layer that may not match your ink. To prevent a serious problem, wipe it down with alcohol (or a soft toothbrush and paste) or simply run it through a flame.
• The problem could also be that the pen has dried ink that is interrupting its flow. In this case, take a pen cleaner and clean it.
• Keep in mind that a regularly used pen requires periodic cleaning and maintenance. To properly clean it, take it out of its holder, brush it gently and let it dry before using it again.

If your work may require some updating:

• Change feathers and try some new ones.
• Change ink. You can find many types of ink suitable for calligraphy, but fountain pens can usually handle any liquid that can leave marks when applied to paper. Some designers even prefer to use non-traditional methods and make their drawings with watercolors, coffee or berry juice.

Choose a style

Unlike calligraphers of the past, designers today can choose any style they like, or even master multiple styles professionally to complete a variety of projects. As discussed earlier, knowing several styles of calligraphy is useful for showcasing a writer's personality, conveying an important message, or simply complementing a formal occasion. Here are some popular ideas to inspire you:

Combining Styles

Just because the tone is classic and vintage doesn't mean the font won't look modern. Combining these styles will impress everyone who sees your work, from your friends to the Queen of England!

Elegant calligraphy

Writing can be fun and challenging at the same time, and elegant calligraphy is proof of that. Mixing classic lettering with energetic swirls is the best choice you should use in wedding invitation design and other special occasions.

romantic and artistic

Has it ever happened to you that a particular thin font reminds you of romance?

These lace decals have beautiful swirls with a steep slope that are suitable for sophisticated capital letters and invitations that will grab the attention of your guests.

eccentric

Whimsical lettering seems light and relaxed, and usually inspires us to think about fairy tales and escapism. It's because of their fluid baseline and dynamic angles that this font style sets our mood like a well-written poem makes us dream of adventure.

fun font

No matter your age, you are always drawn to pretty invitations, a trick that designers often use. The perfect font for invitations like this is a fun one done with playful baselines and rounded letters to set good tone time.

Important data about calligraphy

• Calligraphy is not mastered overnight. You should practice as often as possible and often.
• It will take no more than two hours and several attempts to understand whether you can really practice calligraphy.
• If you're not 100% focused, it won't work. And that's the end of the story.
• Calligraphy is not only about how you write, but also about what you write. That's why you should always write "real" words and convey a meaningful message.
• You must study continuously. By doing this, you will discover a vast world that will captivate you and keep you looking for more. This entertaining process is simply unparalleled.
• The difference is in quality, so make sure you buy high quality materials and accessories.
• Calligraphers are generally friendly people and great conversationalists. As such, they are your best source of information and inspiration, and you should start looking for a mentor immediately.

Top five calligraphy options

Next, we will outline the most important basic principles of calligraphy, divided into five different approaches, line sets and letterforms. This section will also help you learn about the various tools and techniques that can be used for your projects, and we encourage you to try them all.

Twin pencils

Dual pencils are simple and very useful for those who draw calligraphic letters. They can also be used to create large and attractive lettering for posters, banners and similar promotional materials.

You need a pair of well-sharpened pencils and two rubber bands. First, scrape off part of the side of the pencils so that they fit snugly together.

Leave them together in a vertical, downward position and make sure their tips are at the same level when they touch the paper. For this purpose, you can secure them with tape or rubber bands at both ends.

Then take a double pencil and hold it in the normal drawing position. Ideally, it should be directed at an angle of about 45 degrees.

While both pencils are being placed on the paper, press lightly on them and move them forward and to the left. The distance between their points is what forms the so-called "invisible feather".

When you move your hand, you will be drawing a double line, and if you choose to make circles pointing in the same direction, your double pencil will create unique thin and thick ribbons with unparalleled accuracy.

If you don't feel comfortable with pen angles, think carefully about all movements and directions.

This process will require three different skills: working with the angle of the pen; direction of movement of the hand; and proper pressure on the paper.

Markers

These pens are more than comfortable, very bright and, most importantly, much cheaper than all similar tools.

There are downsides, of course, and the ink on these pens tends to fade over time, or maybe they look too heavy and can be easily damaged with the slightest amount of pressure. That's why these pens are a great training tool, but not the best alternative for important projects.

To choose a marker for yourself, take a pen and a piece of paper. To get started, take two markers: 3-5 mm and 1.5-2 mm. Start with a wider

You don't have to worry about paper either: markers work well on printer paper, parchment (not the best option for beginners), or similar materials.

The pressure should be light and even, as many calligraphers in training make the mistake of pressing too hard. This will not improve the performance of the marker, but will only spoil it. On the other hand, keeping in contact with the paper will bring much better results.

Only touch the paper with one corner of the nib, then try the other to see how your writing will look.

Place the full-width nib on the page, and then slowly rock it: do you feel that one of the corners is not touching the paper, while the other is still on it? It's almost like magic!

This time, fit the full width of the tip onto the page, making sure both corners touch it appropriately. Remember that this is the ideal contact for writing, and if you push harder, any corner of the tip will come off the paper.

Pen angle and pressure are two different points, and the pen should point to the left and forward by about 5 degrees. While doing this, the hand should be moved to draw weak and beautiful ribbons.

For sharper lines, consider buying a better quality marker, but you should only consider this once you feel confident about practicing calligraphy professionally.

The best set at the best price that we recommend is the Sharpie Calligraphic, which contains 12 nibs in different colors and sizes; and Staedtler Duo - a set of 2 high-quality markers. An excellent set that doesn't smudge or bleed is called the Calligraphy Pen Set and comes with four lightfast inks in primary colors.

As discussed earlier, it makes no sense to buy special calligraphy paper while you are studying, since printer paper is cheaper and suitable for our purposes.

However, if you are annoyed by constant ink stains, you can consider buying Ampad office notebooks or thick paper for drawing, such as used in the UK, but be aware that it will cost a little more.

Calligraphy with refillable and cartridge pens

You will need: pen, separate ink supply (refill bottle or included cartridge).

Refillable fountain pens and cartridge fountain pens work like this: each pen has a large reservoir filled with more fluid ink, and that ink will flow through the body baffles controlled by an internal mechanism. This way, the ink will go right into the pen block and be easily applied to the page.

With a similar pen, you will also get some nibs different sizes and a wide selection of cartridges for use with the main body of the pen.

The biggest advantage of using refillable and cartridge pens is that they are easy to work on horizontal surfaces due to their advanced mechanical ink flow control mechanism.

Unlike fountain pens that need to be dipped in ink, these pens won't run out of ink in the middle of a word and it's definitely much more safe option for clumsy newbies.

Cartridge inks are thinner so they don't dry out and clog the insides of your pen. It also gives them a lovely subtle look when applied to paper.

The nib itself is also quite stiff, given that its mechanisms must be screwed into the body. This means cartridge ink, combined with a flexible and responsive nib, can truly transform your entire calligraphy experience.

Just like fountain pens, cartridge refill pens leak spectacularly.

This does not change the fact that ink left inside a pen over time can dry out and clog, making it necessary to maintain it properly. You will need to wash the pen thoroughly, but you will never be able to remove all the ink stuck in its reservoir.

Refillable and cartridge pens are considered the most convenient by calligraphers and are also featured on many popular websites. For this reason, beginners are strongly encouraged to use them.

Fountain pens and goose pens

There are many different types of pens, but there are a few basic principles that apply to all fountain pens. For example, all fountain pens consist of the following elements:

1. Pen holders- The holder is the area the writer will be squeezing while working, and as such, it should be comfortable and soft to the hand. More often than not, holders have internal metal fittings at both ends of the nib so that you can safely move them around.
2. Feathers are the metal ends of the handle that have two separate parts and an elongated "tongue" that holds them together. Their nib is square cut to make full contact with the paper and is usually flexible enough to allow the ink to spread smoothly and evenly over the surface.
3. tanks are sometimes found inside the structure of your pen and look like little sloping bowls on the side used to supply ink to the slit. Some of them look like separate metal cups that you have to attach to the pen before you can use them, including those located on the top and bottom of the pen. The main function of the reservoirs is to collect some ink and keep it at the top of the slot so you can write at least a few words before refilling it with ink again.

The reservoirs will not always be inside the pen, which allows you to buy each of the three elements separately, namely to mix and match them together. The options are endless and cannot be combined in one guide, but the experience of popular calligraphers can help you make the right decision.

As a beginner, you may also want to save time and effort, and therefore consider purchasing a pre-assembled calligraphy kit. In most cases, you will be given 4-6 different nibs with holders and reservoirs, and they will cost less than if you bought them separately. Once again we recommend the Speedball Calligraphy Kit, where you will find a holder and even 6 different nibs.

The ink may not be included in your kit, so start looking for the right ink.

The Best Types of Ink for Fountain Pens

The best results are achieved with matte and thick inks such as Chinese, India or even gouache inks that you have thinned to achieve the desired consistency.

For faint strokes, you may want to consider the watery ink typical of fountain pens.

Instead, you can take a medium-sized brush suitable for watercolors and then refill the reservoir at the top of the pen slot.

Calligraphy on inclined surfaces

With a fountain pen, it will be easier for you to write on sloping surfaces than on a regular desk. Including on easels and a board located on your lap and supported by the edges of the table. Calligraphy takes a lot of time, so make sure you're comfortable.

• First of all, choose a stable writing surface that won't slip.
• Adjust your seating position and make sure you are comfortable and relaxed.
• If possible, fix the surface of the paper on a sloping surface (you can use office clay (Blu Tack) and electrical tape).

If you are using a quill or fountain pen:

• Keep the ink/paint open and place it next to the hand you are not writing.
• Choose a good "parking spot" to safely dip your pen and avoid splashing ink on other surfaces. You can take a small saucer that will hold your tools while you have a break or if you have a phone call.

Please note: Dipping a pen into an open ink bottle will cause the ink to get on the holder and end up getting your fingers dirty as you work.

How to refill the pen:

• Take the pen in your hand and hold it in a horizontal position
• Lower the refill pipette or brush so that you can only take a few drops.
• Keep the pen horizontal when drawing ink into the reservoir.
• Replace the saucer and place the pipette/brush on the saucer and leave the pen in a horizontal position. Otherwise, you may have to scrape ink stains from your knees.
• Take a sheet of recycled paper and check how the ink flows on each side of the slanted board. Only then will you be able to perform basic tasks.

Your choice of ink, nibs, and writing surface will determine how often you need to refill your tank. At best, you'll do this after a few words rather than a few letters, but that can also depend on the speed at which you're working.

The same rules apply when you use a quill pen. Unlike steel nibs, quills are more flexible and wear out faster, especially when you use them on cheap, stiff paper.

A non-professional can tear paper with a quill pen and a fountain pen.

If you're not sure you know what you're doing, we encourage you to look for similar calligraphy techniques that require less effort to learn.

Calligraphy with sponges and flat brushes

Here comes the dirtiest (cause you're more likely to get your hands dirty) approach to calligraphy that we prepared in this guide:

The thinner the sides of the brush, the better results you will achieve. Recommended width is 6 to 20mm, preferably with a stiffer texture (like sable and nylon instead of bristles). Flat brushes are long and short, the latter are considered the best option, which retains control of the line by keeping them short and tight.

You can take an ordinary cleaning sponge and cut it into cubes and then turn it into the most amazing calligraphy tool. When using, remember to protect your hands from ink with rubber gloves.

There are several important differences between writing calligraphy with a pen and a flat brush.

The brush, for example, is very flexible and soft, and will respond to more pressure to create thicker lines, which is not what traditional nibs actually do. Another feature of brushes is that they tend to run out of ink fairly quickly and occasionally create a modern texture and a unique, rough look.

The best way to use brushes is on an inclined surface (about 30 degrees). However, horizontal surfaces also work well.

However, you must control the pressure you apply, as any change can affect the clarity of your lines and cause the ink to bleed down the page. But of course you can do it on purpose (looks absolutely amazing!).

Another interesting effect of sponges is that when working with ink, they create mottled (non-uniform) effects similar to brush lines and create interesting contrasts and fading lines that look very attractive.

Ideally you should use a thick and matte ink like India, very watery poster paint, or diluted gouache paints for your sponges and brushes. Liquid and watery ink will not stay on the sponge for long, and thus your letters will look sloppy and uneven.

The biggest benefit of using sponges and large brushes is that they leave enough space and wet ink on the line of the letter so you can add additional colors, mix them in interesting ways, or just let them drip.

When mixing several colors in one letter, take a small amount - any bright color (white is also fine) and draw the base of the letter's shape. Then place it on a horizontal surface and pour in a few drops of darker and more contrasting colors. Do not move it until it is completely dry, unless you originally intended to mix paints and achieve a unique color.

Mastering faux calligraphy

Faux calligraphy is essentially modern calligraphy created with a standard pen (gel, ballpoint, etc.). For many designers, standard pens help to become fully familiar with calligraphy, and there are two important reasons for this:

The point is that standard pens do not intimidate the beginner and are often more flexible and more accessible than fountain pens. After all, these are the tools you've been using for as long as you can remember, and you already have enough muscle memory to work with and create beautiful calligraphy.

However, faux calligraphy is not just for beginners. Regardless of your skill level, you may find it useful for your important projects.

Building your own set of calligraphy fountain pens

Here's what you'll need:

• Pair of nibs by Nikko G - At the beginning of this post, you had the opportunity to learn more about the quality of these nibs, often referred to as the best option for beginners.
• Straight handle. A good choice is the Manuscript pen as it has a versatile pen insert. We also recommend General cork holders for their flexibility and ease of use.
• 32# Laser jet paper - Or just take printer paper. This is an economical solution that still prevents ink bleed.
• Screw cap bottles and Sumi ink (India ink also works well). Both brands of ink are matte and will provide the desired viscosity.
• Water - To clean your pen from time to time, you will need a cup of water.
• Non fibrous towels and fabrics. You can also use paper towels, but you have to be careful not to let the quill get caught in the fibers.

Instead of buying expensive, overpriced calligraphy kits for beginners, we recommend that you build your own and only choose tools that are beginner-friendly, affordable, and actually useful for you.

Feather cleaning

When buying, all feathers come in factory oil, as this oil helps them maintain their presentation and prevents them from spoiling. At the same time, it is almost impossible to have oil and ink on the pen at the same time, so clean the pen thoroughly before you start using it.

After you're done, you'll see the ink flow down the pen smoothly and not leave a blotch on the paper, as it would with oil on it.

Fountain pen assembly

Most beginners choose plastic Speedball pens because of their Nikko G nibs, but there's nothing wrong with using universal pen holders.

These holders have a rim and 5 metal petals, which allows you to use many nibs of different sizes and types.

How to hold a pen

Holding a fountain pen is no different than holding a standard pen. This means you still have to use your thumb and index finger to grip the holder and place your middle finger behind the handle for extra support. As you draw, use your ring finger and little finger to draw faint lines.

Dipping a pen in an inkwell

It doesn't matter which pen you use - the quality of your writing will still depend on how deep you dip it.

In technical terms, this means that you dip the pen just above the vent (center) so as not to put too much ink on the pen and let it drip while you write.

You should also shake the pen vigorously over a cup of water to make sure that any excess ink has fallen off.

You are ready to go!

The main difference between regular ballpoint pens and fountain pens is the angle of inclination: modern calligraphers must take care to maintain the angle of the nib in relation to the paper.

You should never hold your pen vertically, but write at a 45 degree angle between pen and paper.

Also, don't hold it too vertical, as the nib can catch on the fibers of the paper and affect how the ink flows.